Human Embryology Issues:
Issues in Human Embryology: Exploring Christian Understandings is the Social Responsibility Forum project for the churches of Cumbria for 2009.
It aims to help Christians in Cumbria explore together some of the complex issues around human embryology which came to public prominence during the passage through parliament of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, but which are little understood.
The project focuses on the use of embryos in medical research and some choices associated with IVF such as pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and saviour siblings.
More than 110 people attended public meetings in Keswick
and Kendal in April 2009. Chaired by the Dean of Carlisle, Very Rev Mark Boyling,
participants heard 3 speakers:
Dr Murdo Macdonald, Policy Officer for the Society, Religion and Technology Project of the Church of Scotland, explaining the science
Mr Stephen Barrie, Education Officer at the Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics (RC), and
Rev Ruth Gee, chair of the ecumenical working group (Baptist, Methodist, United Reformed Church) on human embryology and early human life which produced the report Created in God’s Image.
Stephen and Ruth offered different Christian understandings of the issues under discussion.
Churches Together in Cumbria has produced a Study Resource Guide for use by local Churches Together groups and denominational or single church Bible study or other fellowship groups. This Guide provides a summary of the key issues and a glossary of terms and signposts the reader to a variety of national church resources, which contain excellent material for Bible study and discussion, and to a couple of novels that some groups may like to use as an alternative way into the issues.
Download the Study Resource Guide
Other resources to download:
Explaining the science: handout from Dr Murdo Macdonald
Linacre Centre position paper: handout from Mr Stephen Barrie
Theological principles to guide responses to developments in technologies relating to human embryology: handout from Rev Ruth Gee
Presentation: Dr Murdo Macdonald
Created in God’s Image: an ecumenical report on contemporary challenges and principles relating to early human life, 2008 (Baptist, Methodist, United Reformed Church)
Parish Resource Pack to raise awareness about the Human Fertilization and Embryology Bill, 2007 (Roman Catholic)
Embryo Research, Human Stem Cells and Cloned Embryos: Summary Report, 2006 (Church of Scotland)
Embryo Research: Some Christian Perspectives: A report from the Mission and Public Affairs Council, 2003 (Church of England)
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| Speakers and chair at the human embryology events: from left to right Dr Murdo Macdonald, Very Rev Mark Boyling, Mr Stephen Barrie, Rev Ruth Gee | Dr Murdo Macdonald answers audience questions at Keswick meeting |